RIVERSIDE, CA -  Sophomore Allison Hand launched a three-run homer in the fourth inning, but UC Riverside added four runs in the next two innings to defeat the Iona College softball team 8-5 on Sunday at Amy S. Harrison Field. 

Senior Beth Kann led the team with three hits and also had an RBI on a first inning home run. Junior Katie Jansson added an RBI in the third inning and had two hits on the day. The Gaels finished with 11 hits as a team with senior leadoff hitter Jodi Petersen also reaching base twice. 

UC Riverside was led by Brittanie Akey with three RBI. Ashley Ercolano picked up the win pitching a scoreless 3.1 innings and added two RBI from the plate. 

Sophomore Carly Argyle pitched a complete game for the Gaels and took the loss allowing all eight runs, seven earned, on nine hits with three walks and three strike outs. 

Kann's home run in the first inning gave Iona an early advantage, but two runs from the Highlanders gave the hosts a 2-1 edge. Jansson's sacrifice fly RBI tied the game in the third, but once again Riverside added a pair. 

The Gaels battled to take a 5-4 lead after Hand's three-run blast in the fourth inning, however for the third time UC Riverside scored to tie the game in the bottom of the inning and then scored three times to take a 8-5 lead after the fifth. 

The Gaels will make their home debut on Wednesday, March 20 against Temple in a doubleheader starting at 2:30 p.m.